Jim's Grave
Ilwaco, Pacific County, Washington
Contributed by T Sheldon, Aug 23, 2000.
Jim's Grave,
Compiled by T Sheldon this 30th day of May, 2000.
Ilwaco, Washington was a tiny town way back then, the day a negro man,
"Jim, by name" wandered into town. "A kinder soul never lived." Jim
was an industrious sort who had a good nature to him and was temperate
of nature. The settlers and their children took to him easily. One day
Jim was boating with a white couple when an ocean storm suddenly
capsized the boat they were in. Jim kept them all together and when
help finally arrived, Jim insisted that the rescuer take the couple
and come back for him the next trip. Jim couldn't make it through the
cold water and drowned. The town assembled to pay Jim tribute of
respect. His body was buried in the old Whealdon Cemetery, near the
present day reservoir. A question remains as to whether Jim was ever
moved to the new Ilwaco Cemetery, or if it occupies a lonely,
neglected grave at Whealdon Hill.
Jim, d. 16 Jul 1860